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Great new option to get PROTECTED WMAs on iPod: burn WMA to CD (lossless), import to iTunes as Apple Lossless. Now you have reduced file size AND the exact original WMA sound. (Just not in files AS small as AAC—which is still an option if you don’t mind double compression.) And of course NON-protected WMAs can now be imported directly without burning to CD first.

Anyway… a quick run-down of all the iTunes news today—pretty good I’d say:

* Play on 5 computers at once in stead of 3 (and still store on unlimited others plus iPods)
* Higher-quality AAC at the same bitrates
* Apple Lossless (on iPod too)
* Convert unprotected WMAs
* Free weekly downloads
* iMix community playlist sharing/rating
* Send music recommendation emails with art
* Easy CD art printing including mosaics of album covers and track listings
* New library catalog printing with art
* Party Shuffle
* Keep song previews in a “wish list” playlist
* Radio station playlists from around the country
* Quick links to Music Store music similar to your own music
* Expanded catalog, 700,000 songs with many exclusives (70% market share)
* Music videos and movie trailers linked to soundtracks and audiobooks
* New marketing program for campuses

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 11:47 AM (CDT)

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(Apple Lossless is reduced in size, of course, when compared to lossless WAV or AIFF or original CD. It’s not reduced in size compared to AAC or WMA or MP3. But it’s still a good compromise to have as an option.)

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 11:50 AM (CDT)

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ALL LIES!

Jobs will reverse himself on everything he said with 18 months.

He just doesn’t want to show his hand yet.

Don’t flame me. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, he’s just employing a business strategy that most CEO’s do.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 12:22 PM (CDT)

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I have been converting WMA to AAC for nearly a year now with Media Center. What is all the fuss about?

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 12:50 PM (CDT)

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Thanks for clearing that up BigSid! I didn’t know CEOs had a business strategy like that.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 1:26 PM (CDT)

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But when, oh when will the iTunes store be available in Australia?!?!?!!!!!

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 5:59 PM (CDT)

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CoolerPod-

Glad I could help you.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 28, 2004 at 9:44 PM (CDT)

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Obviously you aren’t serious WMA Conversion. You really can’t miss the point that doing it inside of one app is going to make a lot more people happy. Right? You do understand. Right? Maybe not. Maybe you like using a different kind of eating device for each kind of food you eat off of a plate. Not all of us do. We are LAZY dude!!!

One program to import them. One program to download them to our iPods. And one program to play them. Program of the songs.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 29, 2004 at 4:18 PM (CDT)

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Oops, that should have been: Lord of the songs.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 29, 2004 at 4:19 PM (CDT)

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> You really can’t miss the point that doing it inside of one app is going to make a lot more people happy.

I as well have been converting WMA->AAC within one app for a year. Media Center. It’s not that difficult and, yes, it did make me very happy. It also speaks to my iPod quite well. I think I have booted iTunes maybe twice in the last year, just to see how it’s progressing, but it is still a very immature application with limited reach.

Posted by Dennis Lloyd in Irvine, CA on April 29, 2004 at 5:00 PM (CDT)